‘Drugs are dangerous, people need to realise’

DRUGS are dangerous and we need to make people realise this is a serious issue, says Fiji College of General Practitioners president, Dr Rajesh Maharaj.

The college spearheaded an open dialogue event in collaboration with the Fiji Council of Churches aimed at fostering cooperation with various religious organisations to raise awareness about the perils of drug abuse.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Dr Maharaj highlighted the important role of every religious organisation in the community and what was needed to be done to tackle these social issues.

He spoke on the potency of unified religious voices, leaders to underscore the need for instilling values in children, importance of advocating for parental involvement, and promoting discipline to shield children from negative influences.

“The way a particular drug affects individuals is different for people from different origins so that is something we should be mindful of,” Dr Maharaj said.

He highlighted the detrimental effects of drugs on young minds, including psychological complications and life derailment.

Emphasis was placed on the imperative of information dissemination and education for parents and children.

Dr Maharaj also stressed that religious institutions were identified as instrumental in spreading awareness through outreach efforts within communities.

Attended by leaders representing diverse faith-based organisations, the event culminated in a consensus to collectively address national issues encompassing drug abuse, domestic violence, non-communicable diseases, and child maltreatment.